Summer Day Trips near MKE

UW-Milwaukee
UW-Milwaukee
Published in
3 min readJun 25, 2019

Milwaukee has a ton going on this summer (check out our last blog post here for details on some of our favorite events) but if you want to take a mini-vacation on your day off we’ve got you covered. Here are 10 Milwaukee day trip destinations to explore this summer!

Photo: Chicago Tribune

1. Six Flags Great America

Looking for a summer thrill? Less than an hour and a half south of Milwaukee, at Six Flags Great America, you can ride rollercoasters at one of America’s top 20 amusement parks.

Photo: Aaron Bean, TimeOut

2. Chicago

Take the Amtrak down to the Windy City for the day. Students get a 15% discount on train tickets!

3. Madison

Take a short drive and explore Madison, Wisconsin. Don’t forget to check out the jewel of the city, the Capitol!

4. Kettle Moraine State Forest

Spend some time outdoors hiking and swimming at Kettle Moraine State Forest, made up of almost 30,000 acres.

Photo: Trip Expert

5. Museums in Milwaukee

Don’t want to leave the city? Milwaukee has plenty of museums to keep you entertained on a rainy summer day. Check out the Milwaukee Art Museum and Discovery World.

6. Johnson Creek Premium Outlets

Still need to revamp your summer wardrobe? Hit up the Johnson Creek Premium Outlets for some major bargains, only an hour and 15 minutes away.

Photo: Visit Milwaukee

7. Holy Hill

Hike around Holy Hill and climb to the top of the 192' tower for a breathtaking view of Wisconsin!

8. Butler Skateland

Act like a kid again at Butler Skateland, the biggest wood skating floor in Wisconsin. They’re open from Wednesday to Sunday. Find the prices and times here.

9. Washington Park

Only a 20 minute drive from campus, hang out in Milwaukee’s own Washington Park. You can find the Urban Ecology Center where you can rent fishing poles and canoes to go out in the lagoon!

Photo: Trip Advisor

10. Devil’s Lake

2 hours from Milwaukee, spend a day hiking at Devil’s Lake State Park. You can even camp there (and rent a tent from Outdoor Pursuits)!

We know how much you love Milwaukee, but if you’re eager to explore some surrounding areas, these are some great options. Milwaukee is in the perfect location for day trips without going too far from home. You know what they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder.

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